Plans to double the size of Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre have
been criticised by an MP.

On Monday (May 19) the Government announced a proposal to double the number of detainees accommodated at the site in Clapham, near Bedford.

Yarl's Wood currently has 405 detention spaces, but the Government wants to add an extra 401.

The centre would also again be required to house foreign criminals being returned to their home countries, as well as failed asylum seekers, those who have overstayed their visas and others going through the fast-track immigration process.

Alistair Burt, Conservative MP for North-East Bedfordshire, feared a repeat of the infamous riot and fire which destroyed half of the original Yarl's Wood detention centre in February 2002, just three months after it opened.

He said: "This has so many echoes of the first Yarl's Wood that it is uncanny.

"Then we had an announcement about a totally unrealistic increase in numbers to be deported, designed to help Labour win a general election; this time it is to look tough before a by-election."

An extension at Yarl's Wood is one of two options being considered, along with a possible new centre in Bicester, and could open as early as 2010.

Mr Burt said: "The news that this will be for more dangerous detainees again revives fears, as this was the combination the Government failed to control last time, causing the fire.

"I shall do all I can to tell the Government to take this new plan somewhere else and give my constituents a break."

The Government's plans also include a new centre at Brook House near Gatwick Airport, which will open next year, while other centres in Dover and Oakington will also have new spaces in 2009.

Border and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne will visit neighbouring towns and villages over the next few months to explain the plans.

He said: "We now remove an immigration offender every eight minutes, but my target is to remove more, and remove them faster.

"We have increased illegal working operations by 40 per cent and last year we deported 80 per cent more foreign criminals. Even though asylum claims are at a 14-year low, we are removing more failed asylum seekers each year. That means we need more detention spaces.

"Although stronger border security demands these controls, I know local communities will have concerns. My commitment is to listen to these personally."


What would expansion of Yarl's Wood mean? Click here for our guide.